NameCensus.

UK surname

Ghosh

A Bengali surname referring to someone from the Kayastha caste, traditionally associated with scribes, administrators, and record-keepers.

In the 1881 census there were 6 people recorded with the Ghosh surname, ranking it #32,926 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,467, ranked #4,197, up from #32,926 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Portsmouth, Hounslow and Enfield.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Ghosh is 1,470 in 2015. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 24350.0%.

1881 census count

6

Ranked #32,926

Modern count

1,467

2016, ranked #4,197

Peak year

2015

1,470 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Ghosh had 6 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #32,926 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,467 in 2016, ranked #4,197.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 9 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Ghosh surname distribution map

The map shows where the Ghosh surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Ghosh surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Ghosh over time

The table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.

Year Period Count Rank
1861 historical 5 #33,418
1881 historical 6 #32,926
1891 historical 9 #33,451
1901 historical 3 #34,063
1911 historical 4 #33,595
1997 modern 789 #6,610
1998 modern 842 #6,485
1999 modern 901 #6,197
2000 modern 911 #6,124
2001 modern 928 #5,932
2002 modern 994 #5,720
2003 modern 965 #5,762
2004 modern 1,008 #5,560
2005 modern 1,078 #5,219
2006 modern 1,151 #4,931
2007 modern 1,214 #4,765
2008 modern 1,252 #4,668
2009 modern 1,277 #4,688
2010 modern 1,367 #4,495
2011 modern 1,393 #4,377
2012 modern 1,404 #4,295
2013 modern 1,452 #4,245
2014 modern 1,460 #4,258
2015 modern 1,470 #4,209
2016 modern 1,467 #4,197

Geography

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Where Ghoshs are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Portsmouth, Hounslow and Enfield. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Portsmouth 015 Portsmouth
2 Portsmouth 016 Portsmouth
3 Portsmouth 020 Portsmouth
4 Hounslow 018 Hounslow
5 Enfield 036 Enfield

Forenames

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First names often paired with Ghosh

These lists show first names that appear often with the Ghosh surname in historical and recent records.

Historical female names

No Forenames Found

Historical male names

No Forenames Found

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Ghosh

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Ghosh, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.

These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.

The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.

UK neighbourhood type

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Ghosh surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Ghosh household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group includes many never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Ghosh is most associated with areas classed as Settled Semi-Detached Asians, part of Suburban Asian Communities. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These residents share Supergroup characteristics of large (non-Chinese) Asian populations but those identifying as Bangladeshi are notably absent. Many residents were born in the UK, while other more recent migrants have African birthplaces. Semi-detached housing, much of it owner occupied, prevails in these suburban residential locations.

Wider London pattern

Many residents of these neighbourhoods are of (non-Chinese) Asian descent, with many identifying as Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi. Neighbourhoods are located across large areas of suburban west, north-east and south London. Detached, semi-detached and terraced houses are more prevalent than flats and socially rented housing is uncommon. Few residents live in communal establishments. Many families have dependent children, sometimes in overcrowded accommodation, and few households are ethnically mixed. Marriage rates are above the London average. The even age distribution, relative absence of individuals living alone and frequent incidence of households with children suggests that multi-generation households may be relatively common. Employment is often in skilled trades, elementary, sales and customer service occupations, and roles as process, plant, and machine operatives. Manufacturing and construction are well represented, along with employment in distribution, hotels, and restaurants. Many adults have only level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. English is not used at home by some residents. Religious affiliation is above average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Ghosh is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier end of the index.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Ghosh falls in decile 3 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

3
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Ghosh is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
Asian - Indian

This describes the area pattern most associated with Ghosh, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Ghosh

The surname Ghosh originated in the Bengal region of the Indian subcontinent. It is believed to have derived from the Sanskrit word "Ghosha," which means "sound" or "voice." The name is thought to have emerged as early as the 8th century CE, when it was likely used to identify individuals or families involved in occupations related to sound or voice, such as singers, orators, or musicians.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Ghosh can be found in the Dhanapati Inscription, a Sanskrit inscription dating back to the 10th century CE. This inscription mentions a person named Ghosha, who is believed to have been a member of the Brahmin caste and a scholar of Sanskrit grammar.

During the medieval period, the Ghosh surname was particularly prevalent in the region of Bengal, which was ruled by various Hindu and Muslim dynasties. Several notable individuals bearing this surname emerged during this time, including Jadunath Ghosh (1537-1612), a renowned Bengali poet and composer, and Ramkrishna Ghosh (1649-1721), a prominent scholar and writer.

As the British colonial rule expanded in India, the surname Ghosh became more widely documented in official records. One notable figure from this era was Aurobindo Ghosh (1872-1950), a revolutionary turned spiritual leader and philosopher, who played a significant role in the Indian independence movement.

In the 20th century, several individuals with the surname Ghosh made significant contributions to various fields. These include Jagadish Chandra Ghosh (1887-1959), a chemist and physicist known for his work on the Raman effect, and Naresh Chandra Ghosh (1909-1992), a renowned sculptor and artist who played a pivotal role in the development of modern Indian art.

Other notable individuals with the surname Ghosh include Birendranath Ghosh (1907-1983), a celebrated Bengali novelist and playwright, and Shanti Swarupa Ghosh (1913-2005), a renowned educationist and social reformer who worked towards the empowerment of women in India.

Overall, the surname Ghosh has a rich history and cultural significance in the Indian subcontinent, particularly in the region of Bengal. Its origins can be traced back to ancient Sanskrit roots, and it has been associated with various occupations, social classes, and intellectual pursuits throughout the centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Ghosh families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Ghosh surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Derbyshire leads with 5 Ghoshs recorded in 1881 and an index of 54.64x.

County Total Index
Derbyshire 5 54.64x
Middlesex 1 1.71x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Claylane in Derbyshire leads with 5 Ghoshs recorded in 1881 and an index of 3846.15x.

Place Total Index
Claylane 5 3846.15x
Paddington London 1 46.51x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Ghosh surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Emma 1
Janette 1

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Ghosh surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Joseph 2
Nonda 1
William 1

Top occupations

Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Ghosh households.

FAQ

Ghosh surname: questions and answers

How common was the Ghosh surname in 1881?

In 1881, 6 people were recorded with the Ghosh surname. That placed it at #32,926 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Ghosh surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,467 in 2016. That gives Ghosh a modern rank of #4,197.

What does the Ghosh surname mean?

A Bengali surname referring to someone from the Kayastha caste, traditionally associated with scribes, administrators, and record-keepers.

What does the Ghosh map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Ghosh bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.